We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

I am planning a trip to Kauai in February and need some advice. I think I want to stay in the South Shore and drive to the other parts of the island. Any suggestions on a good place to stay? I don't really care for the big name resorts (Marriott/Hyatt etc) and prefer to stay within walking distance of a town/shopping. Being right on the beach is not that important either. Also open to making another area "home base" but don't want to stay on the rainy side of the island. Thanks for any ideas and suggestions.

I probably want to stay in a hotel although a cottage sounds interesting. I would like to stay in the $100-$150 a night range. I love to get a car and just explore an area with no timeframe except make it back to the hotel at night. I am interested in seeing the sites...flowers, waterfalls, nature, etc. I also like to eat at "local" restaurants, so any suggestions would be welcome.

You might check out Best Western Plantation Hale Suites. It is located in Kapaa which was a very nice central location on the island. Right next door is a small shopping center and several other stores were within walking distance. We paid about $85 per night for a one bedroom suite (separate living room, bedroom and kitchen). We were lucky enough to get a corner room with a nice view of the water from our lanai. If you're just looking for something clean and don't need the whole resort thing or anything fancy, I highly recommend it.

February is winter here, so it would be wise to plan for wetter weather than say, right now. That isn't to say that you might not have beautiful, sunny weather while you are here - just that we do get more rain during the winter months - and some parts of the island tend to get more than others.

The price-range that you are talking about would probably knock you out of most of the condos and hotel properties around here in the Po'ipu Beach area - you might do a search on rentals in the Po'ipu area and see what comes up - just nothing comes to mind immediately. This is the traditionally "sunny side" of the island where the Hawaiian ali'i (royalty) came during the winter months to get away from the rain.

The East Side is the most centrally located part of the island - but it is also the commercial heart of the island - so kind of a trade-off in terms of scenery - at least IMO. The Plantation Hale is a mid-range property and would be a good choice in your price range - it is directly next door to the Coconut Marketplace, and they have several eating places and lots of shopping. The only downside to it would be that it is directly adjacent to the highway, so I would imagine there would be some noise factor - but then, I haven't stayed there myself.

Here is a link to another reasonably priced property - I think rooms start at $99.00 and go up from there:

This property is also located on the East Side, but closer to Kalapaki Bay and all of the amenities there (restaurants, shopping, beach) - it is a historic property that was renovated recently and it is set in a very quiet residential area - I would think this would be a great place for someone on a budget myself - I drive by it all the time and it really looks like a lovely spot.

As far as "Local" restaurants - plenty of them all over the island - just a few in the Lihu'e area are: Hamura Saimin, Dani's, Tip Top Cafe, Bar-Be-Que Inn. These are all true "local" spots, so nothing fancy or atmospheric here, but good, inexpensive food that local folks enjoy and have for many, many years (Tip Top since 1916, Hamura Saimin since 1951).

Besides Waikomo Stream Villas there are other places in Poipu where you can find your price. Call Parrish Kauai Collection for others. And, call Suite Paradise which handles most of Poipu Kai Resort. There are gardenview units available there in your price point.. Look at Suite Paradise's Poipu Kai offerings.....

The Kiahuna Plantation currently has many units in the $125- $150 price range. I was assisting a friend just recently to choose something as she wanted definitely to stay South shore for her January visit.

I was amazed at the prices on those units ...that a year or so ago...would easily have commanded a $100/night more. She found that she was able to also negotiate a price lower than posted for her 2 week stay.

Kiahuna is ideally situated on a beautiful beach and close to many restaurants and shops. Many of the units have been remodelled of late. Price will vary according to location within the resort.....higher price for those closest to the water.

Check vrbo.com for numerous listings.

South shore for sure ...February.

I wouldn't leave it too long to book as Feb is quite a popular time to visit. Many of the choice units book a year in advance.